Experts analyze the affects and research done of weight, stacks, pads, toe length and chains on gait, locomotion, limb movement and hoof quality. Findings from the perspectives of gait researchers, equine veterinarians, farrier, and natural hoof care professional.

Ann Corso is Director of Training and Certification Programs for the Association for the Advancement of Natural Horse Care Practices (AANHCP) and a Certified Natural Hoof Care Professional. In addition to operating her Kentucky-based hoof care business, Ann collaborates with her colleague, Bruce Nock, Ph.D. as part of Liberated Horsemanship, a growing network of experts dedicated to helping people and horses worldwide by providing practical, science-based information about the care and use of horses via books, articles, symposiums, seminars, and workshops for international audiences of horse owners and equine professionals.

Dr. Molly Nicodemus is the head researcher for the Gaited Horse Locomotive Research Program as an Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University. Originating from the McPhail Equine Performance Center at Michigan State University, the research has been able to grow and develop addressing many different breeds of gaited horses performing the 4-beat stepping gait. Behavioral research is being conducted on the Tennessee Walking horses during training. Furthermore, current video being analyzed includes the padded Tennessee Walking Horse as to determine how these special shoes effect the stride variables of the gait. Dr. Nicodemus completed her bachelors at Missouri State University where she first began riding, training, and showing gaited horses. Working on her masters program at Sam Houston State University, she conducted research on the gait influence of weight training using ankle chains on the walk. As a part of her dissertation research program she researched the three-dimensional motion of the Peruvian Paso and Fox Trotter. During this time she became actively involved with the local gaited horse community giving clinics and demonstrations concerning the gaited horse. At Mississippi State University she teaches the equine classes and coaches both the equestrian and horse judging teams. Currently, she is working with the MSU veterinary college where she continues to study the gaited horse.

Olin K. Balch, DVM, MS, PhD, earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree a Doctor of Philosophy in Equine Biomechanics and Locomotion at Washington State in 1994. He taught Veterinary Anatomy at University of Saskatchewan and at Tuskegee University. At Oklahoma State University he received post-doctoral appointments in Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery. He is a frequent hoof care consultant to farriery and veterinary industries. He has published 51 scientific articles and has made over fifty regional, national, and international presentations. His research has focused on equine biomechanics and locomotion. In the response to the requests from the farriery industry, his research was broadened to include the effects of different weights of shoes and heights of pads on the geometry of motion of limb movement. In 2006, he was inducted into the International Equine Hall of Fame for achievements and contributions in advancing equine foot care. He serves the Veterinary and Research Committees of the American Endurance Ride Conference. Currently, he is in private equine practice in the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. "Tookie" Myers has over 40 years combined experience in the equine industry as a highly renowned veterinarian and farrier, known to take on the most difficult cases, and dedicated to raising the bar for excellence in equine care and education. Dr. Myers travels on-site to assess and address lameness issues and has great success in restoring difficult cases to full form and function. He ;also works with competitive barns to improve performance for the competitive athlete thru optimal hoof balancing. When asked who his mentor is, Dr. Myers quotes "The horse. The horse tells you everything you need to know and learn." Dr. Myers graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to entering veterinary school he trained and showed American Saddlebred Horses and apprenticed under the stables trainer and farrier. He had occasion to take his training and handling skills and work with Quarter horses, Tennessee Walking Horses, Arabians and more. He has served on the board of directors of The American Horse Protection Association for ten years and remains as a consulting veterinarian for them. He has managed horse shows, judged shows, been on the executive boards of horse organizations, and remains actively involved in many facets of the industry. Dr. Myers teaches as a key note speaker at Farrier Symposiums. His practice is based out of Chesapeake, Virginia, but he travels extensively throughout the States and is the resident vet of the largest US farrier resource website helping farriers globally.